Usain Bolt drives record-breaking Formula E car in Mexico

Mexico City, January 14

The iconic Usain Bolt took out the record-breaking Formula E car, GENBETA, for a spin ahead of the Mexico E Prix here.

The GENBETA last year broke the indoor land-speed world record with a top speed of 218.71 kmph, setting a new mark in the Guinness World Records title.

The eight-time Olympic champion, Usain Bolt, who stands at 6 feet 5 inches tall, confessed that he initially felt claustrophobic while squeezing his tall frame into the car.

“There was no space, it was really tight and close. I’ve been claustrophobic for the first time in my life, but the moment I got going, I was just enjoying,” said the fastest man on earth.

But once he was comfortable, he accelerated from the start line on the track at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit, achieving 0-60 mph in 2.89 seconds and powering through 100 m in 4.36 seconds.

The 37-year-old retired Jamaican sprinter, who holds the world records in the 100 metres and 200 metres, experienced the 400 kW power of the GENBETA from the start line and along the strait.

“It’s different, it’s a rocket ship on wheels. The power I got; the surprise I got when launching and everything… it gave me a different feeling I can’t describe; the adrenaline you get is on a different level, easily,” he said.

“I said this earlier to the cameraman, I promised I wouldn’t say it again, but I’m saying it a second time, ‘This is the first time I’ve ever said this in my life, the GENBETA car is actually faster than me—it was mind-blowing. I’ve never said anything is faster than me’.”

Bolt had the assistance of current Formula E World Champion driver Jake Dennis (Andretti Formula E Team), who also gifted him a signed helmet, and former F1 driver David Coulthard.

“I just want to say this was an experience of a lifetime—I did not expect this, and I will be telling people, ‘you should experience this’. A really wonderful experience.

“I was told—As soon as you drive, you don’t want to stop or get out—and they were right. The speed is indescribable; that was a lot of power,” Bolt added.

Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds said, “GENBETA is a development car—born out of the third generation. We have the ability to test our technology and improve it. We’ve already broken an indoor world record last year with this car.

“We thought what better than to take the record-breaking car and pair it with the fastest man on planet earth; it was quite a marriage what we saw today.”

“What you know of him is that he’s cool and swagger, but behind that exterior lies the most competitive man you will ever meet. He personifies Formula E.

“He is about getting better, pushing yourself and reaching new heights. He is inclusive and just a lovely fella… seeking to deliver ultimate levels of performance. That personifies what we’re all about,” he added.